Research Advocates Dedicate New Paul G. Rogers Conference Room

Friends, family and former colleagues paid tribute to the late Honorable Paul G. Rogers during a dedication ceremony for the conference room named in his honor at Research!America’s new office in Arlington, Virginia.

“He made a difference in my life in a way that few people have,” said Research!America president and CEO Mary Woolley during the event held December 8. “I treasure his memory every day.”

Rogers, who served in Congress from 1955 to 1979, was known for his important legislative achievements, which included the Clean Air Act and the National Cancer Act.

The Honorable Dan Mica, who succeeded Rogers in Congress, admired his ability to work across the political aisle to get things done and described him as someone who “liked to help people.”

Widely known as “Mr. Health” by his colleagues, Rogers’ advocacy work earned him many awards, including the Albert Lasker Award for Public Service. He chaired Research!America from 1996 until his passing in 2005, and his daughter Laing Rogers Sisto maintains his legacy as a member of Research!America’s board.

“Without research, there is no hope,” one of Rogers’ most cited quotes, is now emblazoned along the glass wall of the conference room and serves as a reminder of the important work ahead in research advocacy.

Some of his accomplishments are at risk right now but there are people who will step up, and we are among them,” Woolley said. “We’ll make sure we don’t squander the progress we’ve already made. And, in fact, we’ll build on it.”

The Paul G. Rogers conference room was made possible by a gift from the Rogers Family Foundation.